Chief Executive Officer

Schelstraete Delacourt is currently looking for a CEO for a carve-out under a leading PE firm (portfolio company active in the food sector (+€500mio turnover).

Our client is a leading food company with a strong presence in the Benelux region and a growing international footprint. The company serves a broad customer base of retailers, discounters, and OTC clients across Western Europe. As part of a carve-out, the company was recently acquired by a renowned private equity investor known for its operational approach and ambitious buy & build strategy.

The organization is entering a new growth phase, with value creation, strategic agility, and operational excellence at its core.

Role Overview

The CEO will have end-to-end responsibility for leading the strategic direction and operational execution of the organization. This role requires a strong commercial focus, combined with leadership capabilities and affinity with a PE environment. The focus is on driving growth, both through geographic expansion and innovation.

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Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a strategic plan aligned with the growth ambitions of the organization and its investor.
• Lead commercial initiatives to strengthen market position and drive top-line growth.
• Expand customer relationships with key retailers, discounters, and other market players.
• Identify new growth opportunities, including plant-based innovations and expansion into new customer segments.
• Drive integration processes within the context of a buy & build strategy.
• Optimize operational processes in close collaboration with functional teams.
• Represent the company to investors, customers, and other stakeholders.
• Foster a performance-driven culture rooted in innovation, ownership, and collaboration.

Candidate Profile

• Master’s degree, preferably in a commercial or technical field.
• Track record in FMCG, ideally in Food.
• Experience in managing a full P&L responsibility, ideally as CEO.
• Strong commercial background with a proven track record in revenue and market development.
• Experience with a combination of private label and branded products is a plus.
• Strategic mindset combined with strong execution capabilities.
• Strong stakeholder management and C-level communication skills.
• Inspiring leadership style, capable of mobilizing teams and driving performance.
• International mindset and experience in a multicultural environment.